Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Monday, July 18, 2011
The Meaning of Freedom
By
Mark Ballard
One day after Independence Day I sit wondering what has changes have come for my people. I am an African American man living in the nation’s capitol and from where I sit I can see no real change. I know what you are about say; hey man you guys come along way there’s even an African American President. This is all fine and good, but I fail to see how the accomplishments of a single person can explain away the problems facing an entire nation of people. We have always had success as individuals in this country, but our success as a people has been in question. This is what bought me to ask the question. What is the meaning of freedom for African peoples in America
Since the inspection of this country my people have been marginalized in every aspect. Bound and shackled drop naked into the belly of ships transported like cargo and treated less than human. Even with all that we are among the first to fight and die in the forging of this nation. My people fort for the very freedoms that still eludes us to this very day. When I was younger I remember being seated in class listening to the brave and heroic deeds of citizens like Crispus Attucks. I can recall wondering why it took nearly one hundred years after that act for his people get some of the same rights Attucks had die for. I remember thinking this is some crap. Through all my years of schooling I remained totally in aw of the levels of commitment shown by my people towards a country that viewed them as animals.
They say time heals all wounds but in the case of African American’s the wound has never been left to heal. Repeatedly the wounds have been plucked so much that infection has set in. Again I know what you are going to say; that happen so long ago can’t we get beyond that? Well I ask you; if a man were to brake into your home and killed you children in front of your face. Could you just forget and let it go? Let’s say some time passes. A year passes maybe tan year or even fifty years go by but the pain from the wrong done to your family will never go away. Not in fifty year not even in a hundred years would the hurt subside, unless you could sense sincere remorse on the part of the killer. But that never happens the pain is made even more humiliating by the family of the murderer. What if they were give free rein to taunt harass and even kill your living relatives long you and the murderous culprit and yourself were dead. Do think you would have time to heal from your hurt and anger?
Now maybe time has passed and some things have been made better but for the most part they are the same for my people. My mind has let go all of the anger I felt as a young man sitting in class. Even tough I am not angry any more watching fireworks on the 4th of July I did not feel as patriotic as I would have like to, especially given the fact that I am an American. What looms heavily on mind and maybe on the minds of many of my people; when will it be enough and how long will it be before our wounds are left to heal. Yes we have to be willing and I believe we are but America
Thank you for stopping by my blog yours truly Mark Ballard
Friday, July 15, 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Monday, July 11, 2011
Monday, July 4, 2011
Next week my subject will be Kellie Thompson... Hair stylist & author of YES YOU ARE A CHAMPION... This an motivational work based on Christian values... You don't want to miss it!!! http://ping.fm/qjORH
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Friday, July 1, 2011
Artist in the Shadows
About two years ago a friend of mine told me about this great new artist he had discovered on the net. By pure chance he bumped into the guy at a local second hand music store called Atomic Music in College Park, Maryland. He asked if I wanted to meet him, because he thought people should know about artist like this. Artist who are independent and making the music record companies don’t believe we want to hear anymore. At first I said no, but when he let me hear this little bootleg CD he had of the guy I found myself singing the hook of the song he played for me all day and through most of the night. I couldn’t shake that song from my head.
The artist was a guy by the name of Ridgley Makins and the track was called Look At Me. He sang that song with such feeling; you couldn’t help but get into it. The lyrics spoke to my soul and I had been feeling the same way somewhere deep inside. I was overcome with very strong feelings the more I listen to the lyrics. What he was getting at stood out and kept poking at me. He expressed everything I had been feeling and saying to my friends about what’s going on with African American men. I don’t want to give away anymore than that because I don’t want to ruin it for you. I will just say it’s a must that you hear it for yourself.
Later that week my friend Brad and his girlfriend Lisa set up a meeting with Ridgley. He was nothing like the hard and rigid voice I had heard on the CD. He was very relaxed and laid back. I could tell from speaking with him that his passion for music was an ongoing love affair. While we were talking he got an idea for a new track and right away he went to work in the makeshift studio in the basement of his home. The brother wasted no time. He didn’t stop get a pen or pad he got right to it. Off the top of his head he had the hook and the first two verses of the song. A few minutes later he had an entire song and I was amazed with the speed at which he was able to work.
He impressed me and I had to start writing about this wonderful man who was making great music from the basement. I have never heard of this guy before and I couldn’t believe the level of talent. To hear him on CD one would get the impression that he had lots equipment and large numbers of people to helping him. After that first meeting we became very good friends and I am glad I listened to his music. It has enriched my life and I would be selfish to keep this treasure all to myself. Friends, I highly recommend you to go listen to Ridgley Makins. One of the finest artist I have heard out of D.C. since Marvin Gaye. This guy is going to make history with his music.
Ridgley Makins has three well done albums out. His first was the Book of Secrets. The second release was For the People and his new album is called Mean World. All three of Ridgley’s albums are a joy to listen to. I wish him all the best in his career. I hope he continues to make music because it is such a heartfelt pleasure to have artist like him still around. Please support this artist. The industry needs artist like this to break up all the monotony. Find out more about Ridgley Makins at his company’s website http://www.daysofjoyent.com . This is Mark Ballard signing off and until next time, I want to say GOD BLESS & always listen to good music.
Mark Ballard
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